Counter Shopping
Usually you will purchase granite, tile, solid surface (e.g., Corian) or other countertop material through a retailer that specializes in stone and tile, or kitchens and baths in general. If you’re working with a general contractor, he or she will usually send you to a preferred dealer. There are many different materials suitable for countertops, all with various advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, maintenance, and appearance. If you’re not sure yet what material is best for your needs, here is an excellent overview of countertop pros and cons by Apartment Therapy.
If you decide to go with granite for your counters, you’ll have the option to visit a granite warehouse, where you can pick out the exact slab you want. Make sure to bring samples of your cabinetry and backsplash material with you, and always look at your selections in natural light. Those flourescent lights in the warehouse have the sneaky effect of turning green into brown and other trickery! Get samples to bring home if possible.
I visited OHM’s granite warehouse in Charlotte. It was roughly the size of an IKEA, and had hundreds of different kinds of granite and marble from Brazil, India, Italy and other places all over the world.
Choosing a Color for Your Counters
When it comes to selecting a countertop material that works with the other elements of the kitchen, I like to think of a kitchen sort of like an outfit. The cabinets are the jacket and skirt (or pants), the backsplash is a shirt, and the counter is a major accessory like a scarf, tie or belt. (Going with this analogy, the cabinet hardware could be the jewelry! Can’t you picture it?) There are probably infinite variations possible, but here I break it down into three main “looks”:
(1) The outfit can all be in similar tones (matching).
(2) The belt/scarf/tie can stand out against the pants and jacket (contrasting)
(3) The belt/scarf/tie can pick up on the colors in the jacket, pants and shirt (coordinating)
Here’s how those three “outfits” look in terms of a kitchen design:
Matching Look
When the counters are a similar shade to the cabinets and backsplash, the effect is quiet, formal and elegant. All white kitchens are all the rage right now in the design mags, but this effect could be easily created in other colors.
In this scheme, the cabinets, counters and backsplash are all done in shades of white, with a little pop of blue on the tile inset above the stove. Image via Charlotte kitchen Design.
Here we see a tone-on tone kitchen in shades of creamy ivory and grey. Image via The Tile Collection.
Contrasting Look
Strong contrast between the counters and cabinets gives a kitchen visual energy. The look is crisp and modern.
Here we see a high-contrast kitchen done in black and white. Image via Charlotte Kitchen Design.
I like the contrast of the dark counter and trim against the light wood cabinets in this kitchen. Image via House Beautiful. Photo credit: John Gould Bessler.
Coordinated Look
When the counter coordinates with the colors of the cabinets and backsplash, the look is layered and put together while retaining a relaxed vibe.
This creamy granite has warm brown veining that ties together the cabinets and backsplash. Image via Quality Marble & Granite.
Here’s another coordinated scheme. You can see how the counter pulls from the tan, grey, and taupe palette of the tile and cabinets. Image via The Tile Collection.
So, are you drawn to the soothing matching look, the excitement of the high contrast, or the mellow but refined coordinated palette? Can you picture selecting your kitchen materials similar to the way you would put together an outfit?